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Picture yourself on an island where craft beer, cider, and wine are flowing. Your friend is deep in conversation about flavor profiles with a brewery rep, and you’re trying to decide between joining a lively game of corn hole or digging into a plate of Vineyard Caribbean Cuisine. If it sounds like a craft beer enthusiast’s dream come true, it’s because it is. Welcome to the Martha’s Vineyard Craft Beer Festival, your new reason to be island-bound in September.

 

Taste a flight of craft beers at the Martha’s Vineyard Craft Beer Festival.

 

The What, Where, and How of the Martha’s Vineyard Craft Beer Festival

 

What’s Up?

 

Beer. Food. Fun. That’s basically it. The fine print? Unlimited tastes of over 150 craft beers, ciders, and more, served up by brewery reps eager to talk hops. Pair your sips with beer snacks from local vendors and live entertainment. It’s like heaven for self-proclaimed beer snobs, with a souvenir glass to bring home.

 

But Where?

 

Follow the sound of keg tapping to Waban Park in Oak Bluffs. Take note that there’s no parking whatsoever on-site. Designated Drivers get a reduced ticket price, and you can take the bus, but there’s a way better way to have your beer and drink it too…

 

Ok, How?

 

The Martha’s Vineyard Craft Beer Festival Package. Your two night stay includes two tickets to the festival and transportation there and back with Adam Cab, so you don’t have to worry ’bout a thing.

 

What Else?

If you’re feeling extra fancy, there’s a VIP ticket that gives you early access to all the amazing brews (as well as some exclusive elixirs). One thing you can count on no matter which ticket you choose? Going home with a new favorite beer you’d never tried before this event. 

 

Making an entire weekend out of your festival experience? Extend your taste testing and kick back at Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewing for a pint and a bite, or hop off the craft beer train altogether to explore the other ways our island keeps visitors entertained.

Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
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Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket: Which One Comes Out on Top
Treat Yourself to Something New at Martha’s Vineyard Shops
A Guide to Martha’s Vineyard Weather through the Seasons
Explore Downtown Edgartown on Your Martha’s Vineyard Escape
Look at That: What to See in Martha’s Vineyard

The road rides on Martha’s Vineyard are ridiculously scenic, but have you ever tried leaving the pavement behind for awhile? We aren’t hiding any gnarly downhill mountain bike courses around here, but there are plenty of forested paths for riders looking for a scenic route that’s more secluded. Explore Martha’s more remote side by venturing through one of these off road bike trails.

 

Take the Path Less Paved: Go Off Road on Martha’s Vineyard Bike Trails

Two people riding bikes on a dirt trail

 

Martha’s Vineyard Bike Rentals

First thing’s first, you’ll need a bike and gear if you don’t bring your own. Visit Martha’s Vineyard Bike Rentals on Main Street in Edgartown for mountain bikes, hybrids, and good advice if you want some. You’re covered beyond the bike itself, too — all rentals come equipped with a helmet, bike lock, and bike trail map.

 

Wapatequa Woods Reservation to Tisbury Meadow Preserve (Tisbury)

An easy ride and beautiful scenery — what’s not to love? Head to Wapatequa Wood Reservation and Tisbury Meadow Preserve to pedal through woods, along dirt roads, and past a spacious meadow. The 4-mile out-and-back trail that connects the two Land Bank properties is conquerable by all skill levels, and even features all-natural snack spots — keep your eyes peeled for blueberry and huckleberry bushes along your ride.

 

Herring Creek Road (Vineyard Haven)

In it for the destination more than the distance? Combine a quick bike ride with a beach day by heading down Herring Creek Road in Vineyard Haven. The flat 0.6 mile ride begins by the Herring Creek Beach conservation area, which you’ll follow throughout the trip. Ride the trail a few times, and you’ll have earned a dip in nearby Lake Tashmoo Town Beach.

 

State Forest to Thimble Farm (West Tisbury)

Manuel F. Correllus State Forest boasts over 5,300 acres of forest, with 14 miles of wooded and paved paths to explore by bike or on foot. Escape the road traffic and embark on an 8-mile loop that begins in the state park and ventures over to the Greenlands. Stop for a break by Little Duarte’s Pond Preserve before continuing on to circle Thimble Farm.

 

Pennywise Preserve and Dr Fisher Road (Edgartown)

Pedal a path with some history at the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank’s Pennywise Preserve. The trails here can take you way back to the mid-1800s as you pedal the ancient Tar Kiln Path and along the old Doctor Fisher Path, where grain was once carried from West Tisbury to Edgartown.

 

Three Ponds Reservation (Chappaquiddick Island)

Bring your bike on the Chappy Ferry and see what our little island nextdoor has to offer for Martha’s Vineyard bike trails. Combine cycling and sightseeing as you explore Chappaquiddick’s Three Ponds Reservation and pass Buttonbush, Brine, and Winterberry Ponds. On a particularly hot day, bring along your bathing suit and some water shoes to take advantage of a cooling plunge into Cape Poge Bay.

 

Poucha Pond Reservation (Chappaquiddick)

If you’re a nature lover, it doesn’t get much better than a bike ride around Poucha Pond Reservation. The trails weave between forested sections and open fields, with many an opportunity to pause for a stunning view (on a clear day, you may even see the Nantucket Islands). Keep an eye out for birds when cycling past the Poucha Pond marsh, it’s a prime sightseeing spot for egrets and herons.

 

Group Ride with the Vineyard Off Road Bicycling Association (VORBA)

If you’re nervous about adventuring on new trails alone, meet up with a group of dedicated cyclists on a Sunday morning.The Vineyard Off Road Bicycling Association (VORBA) gathers every Sunday at 9 a.m. and can act as your trail guide to even more remote areas of the island.

 

Once the helmets come off, most riders crave one of three things: a good meal, hot shower, or a solid lounging spot. Muster up enough energy to wheel yourself from the bike shop to Vineyard Square, and we’ll have all three waiting for you.

Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Martha’s Vineyard Events
Live like a New England Local This Spring
Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket: Which One Comes Out on Top
Treat Yourself to Something New at Martha’s Vineyard Shops
A Guide to Martha’s Vineyard Weather through the Seasons
Explore Downtown Edgartown on Your Martha’s Vineyard Escape
Look at That: What to See in Martha’s Vineyard

Do packing and procrastination go hand-in-hand in your world, too? We’re here to help you get started, because (believe it or not) filling a travel bag can be quick and painless. If it’s Martha’s Vineyard on your radar, scan our travel checklist for several items you won’t want to leave home without.

 

7 Essentials for Visiting Martha’s Vineyard: Your Island Travel Checklist

Overhead shot of suitcase and packing essentials

 

1. Your Ferry Ride Distraction Kit

Admiring the views from the ferry window is a perfect time to plug into your latest podcast episode. While you dream of hitting the beach in that new bathing suit, don’t forget to pack your preferred distraction methods, like books, games, or cash for the ferry snack bar.  

 

2. Phone Accessories You Don’t Want to Replace

Traveling can inspire plenty of collections, but backup phone chargers shouldn’t be one of them. Let this serve as your extra reminder to throw that smartphone lifeline in your bag before you head out the door.  

 

3. The Three S’s: Swimsuit, Sunscreen, Slip-On Shoes

Plopping down on a sandy beach isn’t as charming when you’re five minutes away from a scorching sunburn. Don’t zip up the suitcase before throwing in a bathing suit (or two, or three), a floppy beach hat, ample amounts of sunscreen, and a trusty pair of sandals. Two things you don’t have to worry about? Beach chairs and umbrellas. Our hotel amenities have a shaded seating arrangement with our name on it (but you’re free to use them, too).

 

4. A Second Suitcase for Souvenirs

Spare yourself a headache here and don’t bother trying to save room for Martha’s Vineyard goods. Between all of Edgartown’s shops and the year-round Artisans Festivals, you never know what (or how much) you’ll want to bring back home with you.   

 

5. Your Sweet Tooth

Murdick's Fudge shop exterior and sign in Edgartown
You aren’t prepared for a Vineyard visit if you don’t sample some Murdick’s Fudge.

Go ahead, have dessert before dinner — you’re on vacation! Be prepared to treat yourself, because Murdick’s Fudge and Mad Martha’s Ice Cream are a deliciously dangerous walk from the Square (and there are plenty more island goodies to sample throughout your stay)

 

6. Your Sense of Adventure (And an Appropriate Outfit)

We’re nothing if not active on this island. Our fitness center makes it possible to keep to a basic workout routine while you’re here, but that’s only a fraction of the ways to work up a sweat. From hiking through wildlife sanctuaries to island-wide bike rides, having at least two athletic outfits to change into in a snap will keep you fresh and ready for anything.

 

7. Plenty of Photo Storage

Walk out on our balcony and the first thing you’ll want to do is snap a photo of our Edgartown Harbor view — keep your camera at the ready, because that’s only the start to scenes worth snapping. To guarantee you have room to save all of your Martha’s Vineyard memories, free up phone space or pack extra SD cards for your camera before you arrive.

 

Once you’ve got these basics in the bag, you can move on to fine-tuning the best travel checklist of all: your island itinerary. Feel free to pick our brains for suggestions — we’re happy to give you the inside scoop on how best to explore Edgartown.

Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Martha’s Vineyard Events
Live like a New England Local This Spring
Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket: Which One Comes Out on Top
Treat Yourself to Something New at Martha’s Vineyard Shops
A Guide to Martha’s Vineyard Weather through the Seasons
Explore Downtown Edgartown on Your Martha’s Vineyard Escape
Look at That: What to See in Martha’s Vineyard

Farmer’s markets — once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, right? To that we say, hogwash. Off in the great West (Tisbury), where fertile fields grow fresh produce and fragrant flowers, the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market supplies island locals and visitors alike with a unique assortment of tasty treats, artisan crafts, and live entertainment. Here’s a tiny taste of the fresh experience you’ll find at this foodie-approved market.

 

Flowers at a Martha's Vineyard farmer's market.
Photo: Ernest McGray, Jr. / Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0.

 

Martha’s Vineyard Farmer’s Market Walkthrough: 7 Things To Expect

1. Fresh Fare From The Farms Next Door

No, we mean it. You may not have pegged Martha’s Vineyard to be big on crop cultivating, but the fertile farmlands on our island are a cornucopia of fresh fruit, garden greens, and root veggies. Well over a dozen farms give life to this bustling farmer’s market — and they’re armed with a lot of choices. Fan favorites include the certified organic seasonal veggies from asparagus to radish from Stannard Farms, and the sustainably-produced meat, eggs, and kale from Blackwater Farm.

 

2. Sweet Treats And Delectable Delicacies

It’s safe to say no sweet tooth goes uncatered at this Martha’s Vineyard farmer’s market. The sugary selection includes homemade scones, muffins and other pastries from Beth’s Bakery, and 6” or 9” pies (made from scratch, of course) from Pie Chicks. You can also find a new jam (as in, grape or strawberry) with New Lane Sundries, or savor a few sea salted caramels from Enchanted Chocolates — because you’re on the Vineyard, after all.

 

3. Artisan Creations From Our Island’s Craftiest

How wide does our island’s collection of craft makers span? Beyond handcrafted jewelry, you can expect everything from Seastone Papers’ home decor made completely out of pulp fiber paper (you’ll have to see to believe) and some of the coziest scarves in existence from Island Alpaca. You may find artisanal soap from Flat Point Farm, made with vegetable oils and natural scents, but it’s a special ingredient that gives it an un-bleat-able moisturizing quality: raw goat’s milk.

 

4. Homegrown, Cultivated Cures For Anything That Ails You

Our farms don’t stop at corn and cucumbers. Some develop creams, salves, and extracts as unique as our island itself. Most notable are the herbalists of Breezy Pines Farm, who’ve been perfecting the practice of plant medicine for 24 years and counting. A few of their award-winning products include a calendula lip balm and bath scrubs made of raw honey and medical grade oils.

 

5. Brunch!

Come hungry — the farmer’s market will take care of that. Dig in to a healthy snack made of fresh island ingredients, like a savory crépe from Anson Mills or the famous Vietnamese egg rolls from Khen’s Little Kitchen. Wash it all down with a refreshing fruit smoothie from Blissed Out.

 

6. Double Market Days During The Summer

Saturday is when the action happens, but we get it — there’s a lot to savor on our island during the summer, and squeezing in a Tisbury trip may be tall order. That’s why our farmer’s market friends double up on market days during summer’s peak (late June through August) and add a Wednesday market into the mix. That’s twice the tomatoes.

 

7. No Shortage Of Squash In The Winter

Like many of our Edgartown restaurants, the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market is alive and kickin’ even when the temperature gets too brisk for boating. Mid-October, the vendors head indoors to the New Agricultural Hall for the weekly winter farmers’ market. Count on a collection of locally grown potatoes, carrots, and other harvest veggies.

 

With a bounty like this to bring back home, the farmer fare on Martha’s Vineyard are well worth setting some temporary roots. Plant yourself in the heart of Edgartown (we know a place) and hop aboard one of the regularly-running VTA buses to the farmer’s market in West Tisbury. Want to stick closer to your homebase? Pop over to the ever-bustling farmstand at Edgartown’s Morning Glory Farm. Wherever you choose to forage, just remember to bring a basket and your appetite.

Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Martha’s Vineyard Events
Live like a New England Local This Spring
Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket: Which One Comes Out on Top
Treat Yourself to Something New at Martha’s Vineyard Shops
A Guide to Martha’s Vineyard Weather through the Seasons
Explore Downtown Edgartown on Your Martha’s Vineyard Escape
Look at That: What to See in Martha’s Vineyard

Sail. Eat. Party. Repeat. That just about sums up the three-day regatta weekend that hits our shores each summer. Whether you’re living the sailor life already or want to root for your favorite schooner, pay homage to the nautical nature of Martha’s Vineyard by experiencing the Vineyard Cup Regatta.

 

A Summer Event for the Masses: The Vineyard Cup Regatta

Sailboat on the ocean with full sails.

 

Sailboats, Sailboats Everywhere…But Why?

You expect boats of all sizes in the harbor come summertime, but the July regatta may be the largest collection of sailboats you set eyes on. For more than a decade, the Vineyard Cup Regatta has drawn sailors to Vineyard Haven Harbor to participate in multi-class race courses. Sail Martha’s Vineyard, a local community sailing program, orchestrates the entire weekend to benefit their youth and adult sailing programs, fueling their mission to keep the island’s maritime culture thriving.

 

But It’s Not Just for Sailors

If you have the skills to captain a sailboat (or know someone who does), set your sights on the Cup and register for an unforgettable experience. For those of us who feel a little seasick at the thought of open water, there’s plenty of socializing and dining to be had on dry land.

 

Each year, the fun kicks off Thursday night with a scrumptious seafood dinner and auction to benefit Sail Martha’s Vineyard. The following three days are met with the rush of racing ships, full sails, and (eventually) the pop of the winner’s gun. At the end of each race, sailors and spectators come together to celebrate in the Race Village for an after party complete with local food and drink, live music, and the presentation of daily awards.

 

Weigh Your (Ticket) Options

Are you in it for the full weekend or just looking to get a taste of the sailing atmosphere? Take your pick. Adult passes (for those 21 and older) run $45 a day or $100 for the full three days. If you’re invested in the whole weekend and tempted by the thought of a seafood dinner on opening night, be sure to pick up the Weekend Pass that provides entrance to both.

 

The Vineyard Cup Regatta is an excellent addition to a smooth-sailing summer itinerary, but it’s just skimming the surface as far as Vineyard events and festivals go. From foodie-favorite chili contests to the Instagrammable Oak Bluffs Illumination Night, give us a ring and we’ll fill you in on all the local happenings you can look forward to during your visit.

Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Martha’s Vineyard Events
Live like a New England Local This Spring
Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket: Which One Comes Out on Top
Treat Yourself to Something New at Martha’s Vineyard Shops
A Guide to Martha’s Vineyard Weather through the Seasons
Explore Downtown Edgartown on Your Martha’s Vineyard Escape
Look at That: What to See in Martha’s Vineyard